Pizza Crust & Toppings Recipe

2011 was the year i started making my own very first Pizza.  Who doesn't love pizza? and imaging having the toppings you desire and pay less.  Yes. Make your own is the best way!

I love pan pizza. Im happy that i could make my own pizza at home.  i can add any toppings i want.  I love black olives, so you can see my pizzas have plenty of olives on.  Below are the ingredients for a very basic pizza dough.

I am very familiar in pizza making with this recipe, i can assure your crust will be perfect!

Below are some of my pizza pictures making in different occasions for mom, sisters and occasionally for myself . I used so many kind of toppings, one that i like the most is with BBQ sauce. i think taste the best.


PIZZA DOUGH/ CRUST
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) of active dry yeast (check the expiration date on the package)
3 1/2 cups bread flour (can use all-purpose but bread flour will give you a crisper crust)
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar

TOPPINGS OF YOUR DESIRE / SOME TOPPINGS IDEA:-

Tomato sauce (purée) IS A MUST for base 

BBQ Sauce

Mozzarella or Parmesan cheese, shredded

Feta cheese

Mushrooms, thinly sliced

Bell peppers, stems and seeds removed, thinly sliced

Italian sausage, cooked ahead

Chopped fresh basil

Pesto

Pepperoni, thinly sliced

Onions, thinly sliced

Sliced ham

Pineapple, thinly sliced

METHOD :-
Combine the water, yeast and sugar in a small bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes or until foamy. Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the yeast mixture and oil. Use a round-bladed knife in a cutting motion to mix until the mixture is combined. Use your hands to bring the dough together in the bowl.

Brush a bowl lightly with oil. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place in the prepared bowl and turn to coat in oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draught-free place to rise for 30 minutes or until dough doubles in size.

Working one ball of dough at a time, take one ball of dough and flatten it with your hands on a slightly floured work surface. Starting at the center and working outwards, use your fingertips to press the dough to 1/2-inch thick. Turn and stretch the dough until it will not stretch further. Let the dough relax 5 minutes and then continue to stretch it until it reaches the desired diameter - 10 to 12 inches. Use your palm to flatten the edge of the dough where it is thicker. You can pinch the very edges if you want to form a lip.

Brush the top of the dough with olive oil (to prevent it from getting soggy from the toppings). Use your finger tips to press down and make dents along the surface of the dough to prevent bubbling. Let rest another 5 minutes.

Transfer one prepared flattened dough to the pizza peel. If the dough has lost its shape in the transfer, lightly shape it to the desired dimensions.

Cook pizza in oven 500F ( 260c ), about 20-30mins.

Prepare your desired toppings. Note that you are not going to want to load up each pizza with a lot of toppings as the crust will end up not crisp that way. About a third a cup each of tomato sauce and cheese would be sufficient for one pizza. .

Spoon on the tomato sauce, sprinkle with cheese, and place your desired toppings on the pizza.

Bake pizza one at a time until the crust is browned and the cheese is golden, about 15 minutes. If you want, toward the end of the cooking time 5-10mins you can sprinkle on a little more cheese.

with BBQ sauce